Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I present to the Senate a non-conforming petition relating to Duchenne muscular dystrophy and I seek leave to make a short statement in relation to the petition.

Leave granted.

I acknowledge this petition and the lead petitioner, Jacob Lancaster, as well as all of the other young men and their families who have been in parliament today. Jacob has said in this petition: 'I am one of thousands of young Australians with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. I have not been able to walk for many years. My heart and breathing muscles are failing. My arms are so weak I can no longer lift a pen. Eventually, it will take my life. Clinical trials are the only hope we have, but we need money to fund them. Can you please help us?'

That petition is signed by Jacob and 32,049 other signatories using a mechanical arm. It is a really powerful way of sending a message about the way Duchenne muscular dystrophy affects the lives of thousands of young Australians, and the need for our nation to fund research to do something about it.

Petition received.